India, Saudi Arabia review cooperation in defence, trade, energy and technology

By  News On Air   Sep 29, 2026

India and Saudi Arabia reviewed cooperation in defence, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, healthcare and education. During a meeting with Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Aljadaan on the sidelines of the AIIB Annual Meeting in Doha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and valued strategic partner of India. They welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Investment Treaty, aimed at providing a stronger and more predictable framework for investments.

Ms. Sitharaman also met Switzerland’s AIIB Governor, Ambassador Pietro Lazzeri, and discussed investment opportunities in India, including through NIIF and GIFT IFSC. She held talks with Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle on flood recovery and bilateral projects. They also discussed the early operationalisation of the UPI-NPI digital payment linkage.